Hi Steve,
My season is off to a fantastic start! And after I went out to go shopping after a phenomenal day, I got a word of tremendous encouragement that has had me walking on air ever since!
First, I had a great day with a great deal of business. Far more than usual at this time of year. I actually sold out for the second time this year; today on hot dogs and last Tuesday on the pork.
Then, After work, I went out to shop for more supplies. When I got to the store that was about 20 miles from home, I parked a bit of a distance from the store where there was some space away from other cars. I started walking toward the store and spotted a young lady looking at me from a good distance. She hollered over to me that she had a question. She said, “I have heard of this before, but I don’t know what it is or what it is about. Please tell me, what is Lakeside Lunch?”
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I filled her in and told her that was the name of my business, where it was and that I sell hot dogs and other things there.
She then told me she had heard people talking about it, but she couldn’t join the conversation and wondered what it was. I was a little excited to know that people were talking about me, so I asked where she had heard about me. She said “At the mall.”
AT THE MALL!!! THAT’S 30 MILES FROM WHERE I WORK! And on top of that, it’s in Danbury where there are a gazillion food vendors, restaurants and just as many IN the mall!!!
So I asked her what they were saying and she brightened up and told me they were saying “Very good and very nice things about you and that you have real good food. But I didn’t know where it was so I didn’t know where to find you.” So she asked for my web address and said she would look it up.
I COULDN’T BELIEVE IT! 30 Miles from home, in the middle of one of the biggest cities in CT, surrounded by food businesses all over the place and they were talking about ME!!!
This is going to be a great summer!!
Thank you again for all your mentoring! I’m still learning from you.
Robin
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I’m so happy for you Robin! You are obviously doing it right.
I know exactly how you feel. I can remember the first time someone recognized me when I was away from my cart. Makes you feel like a mini-celebrity, LOL!
Keep up the good work and thanks for being an HDP Premium member!
-Steve
Haha Congrats! We are local celebrities here as well. Been in the paper several times and have been a thing on FB as well. Keep it up!
Way to go Robin, it’s so cool to know that people are spreading the word and saying good things about you, your food and your business! The best advertising anyone can get is by word of mouth, especially if it’s positive comments. I’m starting to get that all the time now here where I live. People tell me that they’ve heard of me and that I have the best dogs anywhere! A lot of the soldiers from the north love my stand and tell me that they love the fact that I take them home with my Chicago dogs and Italian beef sandwiches! That is an awesome feeling! Keep on doing what you’re doing Robin cause are absolutely doing it right!
I am a hd vendor as well. I am very happy you are doing WELL !!
I do not want to get personal but , I was wondering what well is?
Also what hot dogs and what is the pork?
Larry
I love the feeling of success!
Congrats Robin
Congrats on your early season success!
May the rest of your season stay profitable!
Dapper Demand Hot Dog Stand
Sacramento, California
I am also a vendor, I was wondering what is a WELL day
I average $260 a day I think that’s ok
I was wondering what other vendors do !!
What kind of dogs to you sell
what about the pork?
Larry
$260 a day is very solid, and a good goal for all you newbies to shoot for. Some do less, some do a lot more. It depends so much on a hundred and one variables.
Good job Mr. Hot Dog!
I don’t want this post to turn into a discussion on sales figures. I’ll put out a survey soon so you can all chime in without having to disclose your income publicly.
Great job, Robin! I would put your website right on your cart, nice and big. Even a “QR” code. I love word-of-mouth advertising. It’s the best deal in town (free!). ~BobD
I have my website posted on the rear window of my car. Anyone stuck behind me for any length of time sees it. It’s also posted on my menu board.
To mister hot dog,
“Well” is seeing an overall climb in sales with a few days in a short time being much higher. I will designate it as an overall upward trend. For those doing fairs and festivals, doing well COULD be as much as $1500 a day or more. I am nowhere near that category. But as a street vendor at a local beach, slightly off the beaten path, I see myself doing well enough to call myself a success. I’m paying my bills with enough left to have some fun and not worry about taking a day off for bad weather.
The hot dogs are Hebrew National and the pork is a frozen variety that I add a few things to that “make it my own.
“Well” said Robin, I couldn’t agree with you more. Doing well is a matter of personal interpretation I. My opinion since in my mind I’m doing very well for the amount of hours I work in a day. Keep trending upwards my friend!
The Hat makes the whole setup…Good!! Good!!
Thanks, thanks!
Robin ,
Great to hear you are doing well !!! On June 1ST will be opening up myself ( Delectable Dogs & More Parsippany NJ ) . I have been told by many. Success is not based on how much money one makes !!!! For people to talk 30 miles from your location that speaks for itself !!!
Kris
Parsippany NJ
You go girl matey !!! Super glad to hear your off to a great start.
We should be ready in a couple weeks.
1St Mate Jim.